767 The Strategy of the Civils (1/2)

”The Grand Tutor and others are already waiting in the chamber.” The emperor scoffed. ”Summoning the few of you is but for the assurance of the military morale. Not an issue when such talk spreads among the people, but it mustn't spread in the army! All of you should understand this point.”

The group rolled their eyes.

'Of course, we do.'

'However, for you to see us first, I'm afraid it's not for the reason you've stated so overtly!'

'The unspoken factor must be because you want to lash out with your fury first to vent your frustration!'

In spite of this, it did not seem to be a big deal for His Majesty to actually release his rage before moving to the discussion.

”Hurry up and ask Supreme Cloud to return discreetly,” the emperor said standing up with his eyes trained on the sky and earth, just not at Yun Xiaoyao, as if he was talking to the air, ”The fate of the western line is set. He has nothing better to accomplish there. Instead, this headache in the capital is of utmost importance. It needs a living legend like him to come back and handle it!”

”Yes.” Yun Xiaoyao agreed from the back. He was the only one who could promise such a matter anyway!

The emperor sneered once again before leaving with a flap of his sleeves.

It was worth mentioning that the civil officials truly had countless approaches in dealing with scheming, tricky ploys like this. At the very least, His Majesty was pleased listening to them.

This was most probably the quintessential part of their profession.

”Your Majesty, we mustn't be reckless in facing this situation. We can try to divert the focus, disperse the cause and effect.”

”How do we split it up and break them apart?”

”The School of Kismet State has set up an intricate ploy. The general picture is already painted by now. Not only will it be ineffective if we try to tear through it by force, but we'll also only make a mess out of ourselves, our efforts in vain. Why don't we go the opposite route and select a few of those leading in singing praises of the school – the higher the reputation, the better, and appoint them official titles, applaud their works… This is how we divert their attention…”

”The civils and scholars have always looked down upon each other since the beginning of time. There's also the saying that one isn't afraid of poverty but the disparity of wealth. They'd definitely fight internally as the few who were commended and benefited from it will persuade the others in protecting their profits. At the very least, they'll make sure they won't lose what they've gained. After all, this is their very aim or at least one of it.”

”That sounds reasonable. What about the next one?”

”The next one is to focus our oppression on a certain group of people based on this premise, especially those who are exceptionally loud in their 'support'. We can herd them into a corner, bring harm to their family and extended clan. This will cause their loved ones and supporters to leave them, crushing their motivation. Then, we use them as an example to warn the others and to make those who received imperial court titles feel lucky. The controversy will be triggered and aggravated naturally to the point of no return.”

”That makes sense.”

”Thirdly, task the portion of people who've entirely submitted themselves to the imperial court to follow-up on this matter. The bestowment of official titles has never been for nothing – it's only righteously appropriate for them to put an end to this issue! They've already chosen to betray their original stance; they would be more than brutal to their original stance – they would go to the extremes…”

The emperor's heart lurched, but he hummed a sound of agreement faintly and said, ”How deep the favor runs indicates how intense the grudge will be – however dense the gratitude that is felt, however endless the resentment can be…”

”Other than these, the waves of rumors should be treated as lightly as possible. They don't have to be given profits or ministerial positions. We only have to dissuade part of the idle talkers.”

”If it's necessary, we can snip right where the bud is. Spreading rumors among the civilians… such an action… we can call it… rebellion…”